The Resume

(February 14, 1819-January 8, 1880)
Was a merchant in South Africa and South America
Settled in San Francisco (1849)
Declared himself Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico (September 17, 1859)

Why he might be annoying:

He went bankrupt in an attempt to corner the rice market (1858).
He had delusions of grandeur.
His preferred outfit was a uniform with tarnished epaulettes topped by a beaver hat with peacock feathers.
When he wanted to improve his lodgings, he ordered the owners of the Grand Hotel to provide him a room under threat of banishment.
He died penniless.

Why he might not be annoying:

The people of San Francisco humored him.
During an anti-Chinese riot, he positioned himself between the rioters and their targets; the rioters dispersed without further incident.
He issued a decree that calling San Francisco 'Frisco' would be a misdemeanor punishable by a $25 fine.
When a police officer arrested Norton and tried to have him committed, the chief of police apologized, noting that, as emperor, Norton 'had shed no blood; robbed no one; and despoiled no country; which is more than can be said of most fellows in that line.'
When he died, 30,000 people lined the streets to watch his funeral procession.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Bankruptcy
• Born on Valentine's Day [February 14th] (Ranked: 1819)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 01]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [February] (Ranked: 2141819)
• Goatees
• I am from San Francisco
• I Died in Debt
• I Had a Nervous Breakdown
• Look at Me, I'm Armed
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing Military Garb
• Monarchs, Royalty and Nobles
• New World Royalty
• Profiles 19001-19250 (Ranked: 19043)
• Supersized Egos
• Weights and Measure Names

Year In Review:

In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 148 Votes: 58.11% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 101 Votes: 53.47% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 52.38% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 65 Votes: 66.15% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 29 Votes: 48.28% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 29 Votes: 65.52% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 37 Votes: 56.76% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 79 Votes: 55.70% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 83 Votes: 43.37% Annoying